I was reading this post by my friend Scot Longyear and was directed to this one from there. I have, to my knowledge, never met Kyle but find the question he asks an intriguing one. I responded to Scot’s answer on Kyle’s blog but thought I would open it up for you here.

Let me first, though, give you some of my thoughts. I am not a worship leader, per say. My singing ability has much to be desired (like “please stop singing in the shower you are waking up the rats”). That type of ability. I do not play any instrument although I wish I had learned drums or guitar or piano or the saw or something. But to be PC I think they would say I was “Musically-Intrumentally Challenged.” Ask me to throw a baseball or shoot a basketball I could do that in my day. Ask me about a bicycle I am on it! But the best thing I can play is a mean stereo…and even that my bride thinks I play too loud. Wonder why? What did you say? I was sitting in the chiropractor’s office yesterday afternoon and pulled out my Moleskine and made a few scratches. Here is what I wrote: I am not a worship leader but I am what Matt Redman calls a “lead worshiper.” Our youth pastor/worship leader (Brad) does an excellent job but I also know that people also take their cue from me. I had a man tell me this past week that he needed to move a few chairs over because when I stand with my hands raised he can’t see the screen. (I am 6’5″ and he has to sit due to physical problems). So I am being watched. Brad is a lead worshiper. His wife, Mandy, is a lead worshiper. Everyone who is part of the worship team-vocal or instrumental-is a lead worshiper. I think that worship has finally taken its place in the prominence it was intended in many churches. Gone, for the most part, are the “worship wars” that were all the fire several years ago. Even those who were most vocal about the new approach and new music have tended to let it go. I am glad for that since I don’t believe music was ever intended to usurp the reason we are there anyway. Music’s purpose was to be an aid to lead us into the presence of God. I have a deeper concern actually. I see people all “up” for the music part of worship and even for hearing the Word. I listen to and hear of men, old and new, who are “bringing the Word” with authority and power. The young bucks like Perry Noble, Steven Furtick, Craig Groeschel, and Mark Batterson. “Oldies” who still can bring it (in a different style) like David Jeremiah, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur , James McDonald, and others. Different strokes for different folks. But all this is worthless if it 1) does not draw people to Jesus and 2) is never translated beyond the walls of the church building. I will say it boldly: worship that never translates itself into our daily lives is NOT WORSHIP! It is nothing more than “a hyped-up feel good get-together.” It is like “I got my weekly fix and I can handle it now (until Monday or Tuesday if I am lucky).” Do I really believe it when I sing “His grace is enough/ it reaches down to us” when I go to work or walk past that lonely person? Do I really want Him to “Be glorified in me” when I am being asked to do something that fries me? Get my point? Moses’ face had to be covered with a veil after he was in God’s presence. Are we transformed by in His presence? Transformed enough to make a change and right wrongs and to reach out to others?

I have gone on long enough so I will come down off my soapbox. What do you think? Agree or disagree? What do you think will be next for worship? You can log your comment here or just go to Kyle’s site and log it there. I will trackback to Kyle’s site so he can come here to see your responses if he wants to. But I still want to know what you are thinking.